The Body Snatcher Page #30

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MACFARLANE:

Did you think Gray was the only one

who could handle a mattock and

shovel? I've had some practice in

the art.

FETTES:

(protesting)

You couldn't do that, Doctor.

MACFARLANE:

(rising)

I pass up no opportunities, I've a

whole course of lectures in mind

for you fellows. We'll need

subjects to demonstrate. Come

along.

FETTES:

No.

MACFARLANE:

Why not? I must have subjects. It's

the only way I can teach. It's the

only way you can learn. The

stupidity of the people the idiocy

of their laws will not stop no --

nor will they force me to deal with

such reptilian creatures as Gray.

We can do our own dirty work -- and

we must.

Fettes shakes his head. MacFarlane starts for the door and

after a little pause, Fettes rises and follows him.

DISSOLVE:

EXT. COUNTRY GRAVEYARD - NIGHT

FULL SHOT. The thunder increases in volume throughout the

scene. In extreme b.g. two figures can be seen

intermittently.

CLOSE SHOT - grave. The headstone is brand new but the mound

beneath it has been demolished, leaving a ragged gaping hole.

A spade comes down into picture with vicious force. As it is

raised with its burden of earth:

MACFARLANE'S VOICE

(triumphant)

So we can't do without Mister Gray

- So I'd never be rid of him, eh?

CLOSE SHOT - MacFarlane and Fettes as they work over the

grave. MacFarlane's spade thumps against wood.

MACFARLANE:

A-ah!

He jumps down into the grave, the CAMERA TILTING DOWN CUTTING

OUT Fettes. MacFarlane is levering up the edge of the coffin

with his spade. As the wood gives, there is a tremendous

clap of thunder immediately overhead, followed by a solid

deluge of rain.

EXT. ROAD - NEAR CEMETERY - NIGHT

MED. FULL SHOT. The storm is raging. In the f.g. is

MacFarlane's carriage, the horse tethered to the fence.

Whickering, intensely nervous, he is looking o.s. toward the

cemetery. Shuffling footsteps come over shot and the horse's

fear increases.

MED. SHOT - at side of carriage is MacFarlane and Fettes come

into scene carrying a heavy burden, wrapped in canvas.

FETTES:

(hoarsely)

Where shall we put it? In the back?

MACFARLANE:

No room there. We'll have to set it

between us.

QUICK DISSOLVE:

EXT. HILLSIDE ROAD - NIGHT

FULL SHOT - The storm is continuing unabated. A narrow,

twisting road runs down the hillside, and the terrain is

desolate and rocky. Horse's hooves are heard and MacFarlane's

carriage comes into the scene, going down the hill.

INT. CARRIAGE -- NIGHT -- (PROCESS)

CLOSE SHOT - MacFarlane. He is driving, his head thrust

forward to see the road. The CAMERA PANS, VERY SLIGHTLY to

show what is next to him; something wrapped in a thin sheet

of canvas; something which sits limply; something which shows

the unmistakable shape of a human body beneath its covering.

It is held by Fettes' hand which is just in shot. The CAMERA

PANS again to show Fettes. His teeth are clenched; his eyes

closed.

MED. SHOT - showing both men and the thing between them. The

horse is trotting fast and as the carriage turns a bend, the

thing lunges heavily against MacFarlane's shoulder.

MACFARLANE:

(savagely)

Keep it off me, will you!

EXT. HILLSIDE ROAD - NIGHT

FULL SHOT - Still the storm - even fiercer. MacFarlane's

carriage, the horse galloping, comes down the hill, swaying

and lurching. The pace is much too fast for the going.

INT. CARRIAGE - NIGHT - (PROCESS)

MED. SHOT. It is very dark. MacFarlane is hauling at the

reins with all his strength.

MACFARLANE:

(savage)

What's got into this animal!

CLOSE SHOT - Fettes. He is still holding the thing o.s.

THREE SHOT. The carriage sways violently and the thing

between the men, its outlines barely distinguishable, seems

to twist out of Fettes' grip. It sags against MacFarlane.

MACFARLANE (CONT'D)

Keep it off me!

Forced to keep both hands on the reins, MacFarlane tries to

thrust the thing away with his shoulder. But it still keeps

falling against him.

MACFARLANE (CONT'D)

(shouting)

Keep it off me, I say!

Fettes makes an effort to hold on to the corpse.

MED. FULL SHOT -- the carriage going along the road; the

horse proceeding at a hard trot. The hoof beats ring out

rhythmically.

THREE SHOT -- PROCESS -- Fettes, MacFarlane and the corpse.

The rhythmic hoof beats sound very loud as the two men drive

on in silence. Fettes makes a desperate effort to hold the

corpse away from MacFarlane, but it keeps bumping into the

doctor. Through the hoof beats and in the same rhythm comes

the voice of Gray on the sound track.

GRAY'S VOICE

You'll not get rid of me that way --

that way -- that way -- that way --

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